The Dubai Metro opened for business in 2009 and features 47 stations on two lines, Red and Green.
The stations and the track are generally both elevated, but there are portions of the network that runs underground. The stations are equipped with wifi, ATMs, and retail outlets.
Here's one of those elevated tracks.
The Red Line, seen here, is 32.5 miles long and run along Dubai's main thoroughfare, Sheikh Zayed Road. The Green line 14.4 miles long and runs in the northern part of the Emirate.
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdThe Dubai Metro operates driverless trains each consisting of five cars. Four of the cars operate a Silver Class or regular metro/subway layout. The remaining car is split into two cabins. A Women and Children only cabin and Gold Class.
The Gold Class is found either at the very front or the very end of the train depending on the direction of the train's route.
Since there are glass doors separating the platform from the track...
... There is a sign designating the location of the Gold Class boarding door.
Here's a view of the track from the Gold Class boarding area at the Red Line's Financial Centre station.
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdInside, Gold Class is very clean and very spacious.
Unlike a standard subway car, the Gold Class is equipped with individual seats.
Some of the seats are arranged in a club style that faces one another.
Many of the forward facing seats are equipped with seat back tray tables. Although, I didn't actually see anyone ever use it.
There are also a pair of inward facing seats at the front of the car.
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdIt's where you get the best views of the track.
The view from the side window isn't too shabby either.
An information display and loudspeaker do a good job of barking out information to the rider.
And there is also a luggage compartment so people won't have to schlep their bags around.
Since there aren't any actually conductors on the train to check tickets. There are signs posted on the doors and...
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip Ad... Above them warning people that those who are in Gold Class, but didn't pay for the ticket are subject to a 100 Dirham or $27 fine.
The verdict.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time riding around on the Dubai Metro. Even in Silver Class, the trains were clean and well maintained. But with ridership increasing, the Silver Class can be extremely crowded, especially during rush hour. Which is why Gold Class is the way to go.
Even though it does cost more, the experience is significantly better. And while Gold Class can also get quite full, the general ambiance of the cabin helps make the crowd more tolerable.
I've been fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel around the world and experience many of the major metro/subway systems in operation today. In my opinion, Gold Class is simply the best experience I've ever had.
It will be interesting to see how the Dubai Metro system will contend with surging ridership and aging rolling stock in the coming years. But for now, at least, it has a product offering as good as, or better, than any system around the world.